Alan Quinn will lodge an appeal against the severity of his punishment over his breach of FAI Disciplinary Regulations relating to betting.
The Shelbourne coach released a statement last night in which he acknowledged that he breached gambling regulations.
But he criticised his punishment, the wording of the FAI statement last weekend regarding his offence and the Tolka Park hierarchy for what he felt was a lack of support.
And he added that his past addiction to gambling, which he had gotten “under some control,” had meant his judgement was sometimes “impaired.”
The FAI’s briefing on Quinn’s suspension read: “These breaches are connected to 18 League of Ireland games between 5 August 2022 and 5 May 2023.
The former Ireland international, who played for both Sheffield clubs and Ipswich, said: “I feel it necessary to respond to the reports of my suspension from football released by the FAI on Saturday.
“In the first instance, I accept fully that I breached the gambling regulations. This was a serious error of judgement on my part which I regret hugely.
“However, I think context is required here. First, I have suffered from gambling addiction in the past and while I now have the problem under some control, like any addiction, there are times when my judgement is impaired.
“Second, all the bets made were in losing accumulators and no profit was made.
“Third, I did not and would never bet on my team to lose a match. Fourth, although 18 matches were involved, there were only nine bets made.
“I understand that no bets should have been made and I accept fully that a suspension is warranted.
“My belief is that the focus in this and related instances should be less on excessive punishment and more towards education and rehabilitation.”
Turning to his own club, Quinn continued: “I would like to thank Shelbourne manager Damien Duff for his support but I am bitterly disappointed in the lack of assistance and guidance from the ownership of the club.
“As soon as the accusation was made and I was suspended by the club, I was left to fend for myself.
“I was forced to attend disciplinary hearings without any presence or support from the club.
“I naively assumed that my standing within the club would have brought a little more loyalty but this clearly wasn’t the case.
“Football is my life and livelihood and it is all I have ever known. I am finding it very difficult to mentally process that I will have absolutely no involvement in football at all, even as a spectator, for such a long period of time.
“I have now engaged the services of the PFA Ireland who have kindly agreed to help me and, with the assistance of Stephen McGuinness, and their solicitor Stuart Gilhooly, I will be lodging an appeal against the severity of the sanction."
Shelbourne were contacted for comment on Monday night, but a representative said the club had nothing to add to their statement from Saturday.
That statement read: "Shelbourne FC notes the decision and announcement of the FAI in relation to Alan Quinn.
"Mr Quinn has been suspended from his duties since the original allegation arose and will continue to be suspended pending the outcome of an internal disciplinary process which has been commenced in accordance with Irish employment law.
"There will be no further comment from the club pending the outcome thereof."
